Chemicals, the missing bit that's holding me back from it all

[Pogo]

Please allow me to endorse with emphasis what Jim said apropos a washcloth and hands for building lather.

Although members here are rhapsodically enthusiastic about shaving brushes, they are not essential.

Hope this helps.

Pogo

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'll likely take a whupping for this, but the creams and soaps are largely interchangeable. People develop preferences for certain scents and minor details, but I have yet to come across one that didn't work well enough when used correctly. I'd be happy enough shaving with a $3 Williams puck and a bottle of Clubman and Red IP blades. That would cost maybe $15 a year.

As for a brush, they really are wonderful. They might seem weird now, but once you apply hot lather with one you'll stop questioning. Try a reasonable boar brush or maybe spend $35 for a Wee Scot. You can use a thrift store bowl or any old one you have to make lather.

Just don't get hung up on the prices or the myriad luxury niches. Hit the local pharmacy and see what's available locally. I can find reasonably priced and good products all over. Get a vintage razor; they're reasonably easy to find at junk stores. And start shaving. Odds are your skin isn't as sensitive as you think. Bad shaving products have a way of convincing people that they're sensitive.

 

[asadasam]

I think those of us on the boards get caught up in our passion for high-end product and that can be what gets passed on to new readers, but all of these things are independent parts and you'll probably see an improvement from doing any or all of them - switching from canned foam to a better lathering cream, building that lather with a brush, switching from multi-blades to a single bladed DE or SE, applying a good-quality aftershave, and most importantly, reading about and practicing better technique. Out of curiosity, I've once or twice used a combo of multi-bladed Gillette, canned gel, and no aftershave (the combo I gave up when I switched over five years ago) and I still get better shaves than I did before learning about this wetshaving world!

Start by reading and learning and pick things up as you're interested in them - if that means using canned foam for a while (or forever), I still think you're on the right path.

 

[Geordon]

I don't want to irritate my skin or cut myself. Right now a decent shave usually results in one or the other.

IF you're getting either cut of irritated, I don't view that as a decent shave. The goal should be to get a comfortable and presentable shave, without irritation or cuts.

What are you using right now? And how are you getting your face prepared for your shave? I'd be willing to bet that your prep could be better. As for cuts and irritation, the same mantras hold true for cartridges: No pressure, watch your growth direction, don't shave over the same spot without additional lather application.

You don't have to spend big money on any part of this. When I started, I picked up the cheapest razor that I saw: the venerable Feather "Popular" from Classic Shaving. I spent $8 on a boar brush and another $5 on what sounded like a nice smelling soap. Oh, and a $6 10-pack of Feather razor blades for when I ran out.

You know what? I got a fairly decent shave, once I figured out how to hold the razor and let it do the work. You shouldn't have to press the razor down into your face a lot in order to get it to shave close. The weight of the razor should generally be enough to reduce your beard with each of 2-4 passes.

Notice I said "reduce your beard". That means that you shouldn't be trying to mow everything down in one pass around your face, because that generally leads to using too much pressure and bad technique.

There are several guys on this very board that use cartridge razors either primarily or exclusively, so don't buy the hype that you have to spend $50 on equipment and $30 on creams, lotions and potions.

Proper beard prep and proper technique will serve you well no matter if you stick with a spray-can and cartridge, brush and double-edge, or straight razor.

 

[Fairlight]

A lot of folks around here rave about various Personna products, especially their current DE blades, and my understanding is that they are made in Israel.

The truth of the matter is that there really *ISN'T* a whole lot of complexity when it comes to proper shaving soaps and creams (as opposed to the canned gunk like Gillette), as the overwhelming majority of these products will give you a superior shave. The canned stuff contains a bunch of synthetic lubricants to work without water, but lubrication is only half the story. Soap based shaving products also hydrate your skin and hairs, which decreases irritation. As long as it doesn't come in a can, it will probably work pretty damned good.

I love Proraso soap. I have a cheap Omega boar brush that I paid $13 for and love. I, personally, have no desire to spend a bunch of money on a badger brush when a good quality boar brush that has been broken in is perfectly serviceable. The main difference between boar and badger is that badger is soft out of the box, whereas boar will be a bit scratchy at first before the bristles split (this is a good thing).

 

[TheVez2]

You can buy Van Der Hagen soap (puck) and shave brush at Wal-Mart or Walgreens. I just picked up one of each and spent around $6.

 

[Jopo]

Nivea was my goto for years, $3.00/tube, available, AFAIK, world wide and performs as well as the more expensive brands..

I didn't realize for instance that Nivea is somehow applicable. I figured the stuff that comes in the can (like the blue fusion goo) is only good if you use the modern multi blade nonsense.

WDRX is referring to Nivea in a tube for use with a brush, not the canned stuff. Its available in many countries so keep an eye out.

 

[The Nid Hog]

I didn't notice if you said where you are or not. An inexpensive Omega boar brush can be had for a very reasonable price from many of the good vendors here--by no means essential, but a lot of fun to use. You can pick up a great tube of Proraso-made Bigelow cream at Bath & Body Works too. A bottle of Aqua Velva aftershave can be had anywhere. All inexpensive, all excellent.

 

[mblakele]

The OP mentioned that he lives in Israel.

I know Omega markets their brushes in Syria and Turkey, so I'd expect to find those in local shops and markets. I would also expect to find Derby and Lord blades, Israeli Personna blades, and soaps and creams from Arko and Derby - all those fine products that we in the USA have to import. Alum shouldn't be any problem. A razor might be, but I expect there are local solutions: something like a Parker, or a Gillette-licensed Tech or Knack design might still be available in stores.

 

[miamimoe]

The OP mentioned that he lives in Israel.

I know Omega markets their brushes in Syria and Turkey, so I'd expect to find those in local shops and markets. I would also expect to find Derby and Lord blades, Israeli Personna blades, and soaps and creams from Arko and Derby - all those fine products that we in the USA have to import. Alum shouldn't be any problem. A razor might be, but I expect there are local solutions: something like a Parker, or a Gillette-licensed Tech or Knack design might still be available in stores.

I live in Israel; went on line this morning and checked for shaving products. I was only able to find: Nivea ASB, Clarins Mens, Bugatti Pureblack, Ahava, Weleda. No razors, blades or brushes came up in the search. The items mentioned above were extremely expensive, on the order of 2 to 3 times what I would pay in the states. The wet shaving culture does not have a following here, and most stores-supermarkets and pharmacy chains carry Gillette, Axe, and Schick. Sad, but true.

 

[Cheech]

I'll also fall on the sword here: I agree that almost any cream or soap I've tried worked well. With one exception (I had to keep lathering the Institut Karite soap. Still worked, great actually, but kind of a pain).

A tube or tub of Proraso is cheap, and I don't think I've read a negative review. If Miamimo is willing to be a great guy and bring some stuff with him, I'd suggest an inexpensive brush and some cream or soap. Funny thing is, the lather is one of the most enjoyable parts of my shave. And, given the life span of the average tube or tub, its probably significantly cheaper per shave.

Almost forgot, have you checked euro sites? May be a bit cheaper on the shipping. Just a thought.

 

[Pogo]

Alternate Shave Soap Suggestion:

You might go to the women's section of your mega-store and buy a bar of superfatted soap. You can use your hands to work up a usable lather.

Cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap, second paragraph under "Soapmaking."

Hope this helps.

Pogo

 

[mblakele]

I live in Israel; went on line this morning and checked for shaving products. I was only able to find: Nivea ASB, Clarins Mens, Bugatti Pureblack, Ahava, Weleda. No razors, blades or brushes came up in the search. The items mentioned above were extremely expensive, on the order of 2 to 3 times what I would pay in the states. The wet shaving culture does not have a following here, and most stores-supermarkets and pharmacy chains carry Gillette, Axe, and Schick. Sad, but true.

So none of those IP blades are sold domestically? I hope this doesn't turn into a political discussion, but I am not surprised that online searches don't help. Remember I mentioned Turkey and Egypt as sources... and so I suspect that the shops or market stalls that carry Arko and Derby in Israel probably won't be online. They might be in a dangerous part of town too.

Sorry about that, and I can't tell you if I would risk it or not. Here in California I can spend all the time I want to in Latino, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian shops without worrying much about an assault.

 

[miamimoe]

So none of those IP blades are sold domestically? I hope this doesn't turn into a political discussion, but I am not surprised that online searches don't help. Remember I mentioned Turkey and Egypt as sources... and so I suspect that the shops or market stalls that carry Arko and Derby in Israel probably won't be online. They might be in a dangerous part of town too.

Sorry about that, and I can't tell you if I would risk it or not. Here in California I can spend all the time I want to in Latino, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian shops without worrying much about an assault.

From what I can tell, politics has nothing to do with it. Israel and Turkey have strong trade relations. From what I have been able to gather, the wet shaving culture is simply not here. From my trips to the local groceries, the shouks (open air markets), the local mom and pops, national pharmacy and grocery chains, all I see is Gillette, Schick, and Axe products. It just seems as if the wet shaving culture has not been established here. It should be, as last night I hit the grocery store. A four pack of Mach 3 blades was 50 NIS (Israel shekels), equivalent to $14.00 US, about $3.50 per cartridge. Fusion blades were 70 NIS for 4, which is about $18.75 for a four pack.

As far as the "bad" part of town, there are many places with a thriving Arab community, where I have no concerns about going, and I guess they are using Gillette and the like, because I have not seen products like Arko, Derby, or even double edge razor blades in the Arab grocery stores or mom and pops either. I may give it another try on my next visit to Jerusalem, and try some of the markets around the Old City, and ask the local Arab merchants if they are familiar with these products. It would make for an interesting conversation at the very least.

People here are highly influenced by American television and advertising, and trust me that Gillette spends a lot of time and money promoting their products in Hebrew and Arabic, and it appears as if people here have drank the Kool-aid. Globalization of a brand is truly an amazing thing.

 

[Defcon5]

I'm not sure about the situation in Israel, but if you can find a box like this it'd last you for ages cheaply. http://www.amazon.com/Arko-Shaving-...ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1273814791&sr=8-1

 

[proxymoron]

Chiming in on a different piece: if you're willing to splash out for a Merkur, I'd suggest the comparably-priced Edwin Jagger 89(L). A fine shaver. Smooth as a Super Speed with more room to 'grow into' as your skills develop.

And welcome to B&B.

 

[Go West Young Man]

IP's are manufactured in Israel but are for the export market only.
I don't think there's any domestic distribution in Israel itself.

 

[BlackBard]

IF you're getting either cut of irritated, I don't view that as a decent shave. The goal should be to get a comfortable and presentable shave, without irritation or cuts.

Very true. What good is a BBS, if you face is killing you?

What are you using right now? And how are you getting your face prepared for your shave? I'd be willing to bet that your prep could be better. As for cuts and irritation, the same mantras hold true for cartridges: No pressure, watch your growth direction, don't shave over the same spot without additional lather application.

Good advice.

You don't have to spend big money on any part of this...You know what? I got a fairly decent shave, once I figured out how to hold the razor and let it do the work. You shouldn't have to press the razor down into your face a lot in order to get it to shave close. The weight of the razor should generally be enough to reduce your beard with each of 2-4 passes.

Notice I said "reduce your beard". That means that you shouldn't be trying to mow everything down in one pass around your face, because that generally leads to using too much pressure and bad technique.

There are several guys on this very board that use cartridge razors either primarily or exclusively, so don't buy the hype that you have to spend $50 on equipment and $30 on creams, lotions and potions.

I'm one of these.

Proper beard prep and proper technique will serve you well no matter if you stick with a spray-can and cartridge, brush and double-edge, or straight razor.

Geordon, you post and advice are spot on. I wish I had said what you said as well as you said it. I hope the OP really heard you.